Jeffery Balks at ‘Falling Behind’

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery balked at the narrative he has fallen behind a bit after missing significant time in training camp with a minor shoulder injury.

Questions surrounding the high-profile, free-agent wideout intensified on Saturday when his position coach Mike Groh admitted the veteran ran the wrong route during one play in the opening drive of last Thursday's preseason win against Buffalo.

“Alshon ran the wrong route,” Groh admitted. “Probably a route he hadn’t practiced yet. Certainly, his responsibility to know it but in a short week – a non-game plan week. Ordinarily, you’re spending four days of practice game planning a team and refining every play.”

To be honest, it was kind of a throwaway comment by Groh and a miscue that didn't really matter all that much considering Carson Wentz adjusted and found Zach Ertz on the play after realizing Jeffery was running an out route instead of a corner pattern.

Doug Pederson downplayed the hiccup after practice on Sunday.

“I attribute it to we’ve got a lot football in right now,” the coach said. “We do have very similar plays. We have like plays where routes are very similar, and the fact is everybody is going to make a mistake.”

Jeffery had a similar take after wrapping up the session Sunday with some personal work off to the side with Wentz and Ertz.

“Not at all,” Jeffery said when asked if he felt he had fallen behind in learning the offense. “At the same time by missing a few practices here and there [I'm] just getting some timing down — I’ll be alright.”

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen